Sam looked into Nissas eyes before looking at the others.

" We have to kill them! Our forces right now are way too weak, if they get the opportunity to leave the city after obtaining important informations, they will convey these to Ivan.

I believe their group is still more powerful than we are, what means, that Ivan will most likely attack us after knowing our weak points.

Right now, we and all of our soldiers have to get stronger! I also hope to build some relationships with the other cities, an alliance if possible."

After listening to Sam, Linda was the first one to ask a question.

" Why do you visit the cities as an adventurer? Why don't you officially announce yourself as the king of a nearby city and ask for a meeting?"

" I have to check the cities and people that are living there. I don't want to collaborate with a group that is as ruthless as Ivan's group.

Fortunately, Orkan didn't reveal my identity to his guards, I will remind him to keep this a secret.

The best way to enter the city and learn about it is to go as an adventurer."

Jack was the next one to speak up.

" I understand your logic regarding this but what is the plan for Blackstone city while you are gone?"

" I want you to train our archers. Nissa will be responsible for our number one food source, the hunters. Kain trains the warriors and to some extent the knights.

Nina and Anna will go together with me and lastly Linda will be the vice leader and take control of the overall management.

Regarding the spies, I will make sure to dispose of them before I leave the city."

The meeting continued for another hour, then the members dispersed. Sam halted Anna and Nina.

" Hey you two, do you have plans today? How about we spar for a bit? I really want to improve my martial arts, who knows what awaits us during our journey."

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The twins happily agreed and together they went to the backyard of the keep where a small training field was located.

They started with judo and karate practices. Anna and Nina corrected Sam's stances and basic attacks until they were satisfied with the execution of the movements.

Sam learnt a few throws, as well as kicks and punches in only the few hours. Thereafter they started the sparring.

Anna and Nina fought Sam separately while the other one gave tips and pointed out the mistakes he was still making.

They trained and sparred for more than eight hours and actually had a lot of body contact, especially during the judo practices. Sam and the twins slowly l but surely became more intimate.

They decided to end the day by eating at " Meat Dreams " again.

Sam passed the following three days doing mostly the same. He trained with the twins for a couple of hours, before he took a group of Blackstone city soldiers and explored the surroundings. They killed smaller monster groups and even defeated a Level 10 boss monster. With Sam helping in dangerous situations, a knight had gathered his courage and stabbed the monster, rising to Level 10.

The twins were also leading small groups into different directions and made them experience face-to-face battles with monsters like orcs or zombies.

Four days after Sam had discovered the spies, Blackstone city had three more Level 10 soldiers, an archer, a warrior and a knight. Sam sat on his throne eating his breakfast while checking the city's stats.

Sam finished his breakfast and wanted to call the twins, when Nissa entered the throne room, followed by Jack. She held two letters in her hands.

" Good Morning Sam, a Messenger arrived a moment ago and handed me these two letters. He was badly injured but managed to tell me that he had been attacked by desert bandits who crossed his way.

Three arrows had hit him but thankfully, the horse wasn't hit and brought him here.

Sam, we have to stop them, the messenger spoke from 30 to 40 bandits, riding on camels, and armed to the teeth! They will most likely spot Woodchester next and with the few soldiers stationed there, it will be difficult to hold the village."

Sam nodded.

" You two, we need 20 people, a few from "Nightwatch" and soldiers who are at least Level 9.

Gather them and notify me when you are ready, we will kill these bandits as soon as possible!"

Jack and Nissa left immediately while Sam opened the city menu and decided to buy a few more horses with the reward points the city had produced.

Sam and most of " Nightwatch" didn't know how to ride, but most of the NPC's knew it and therefore Sam decided to buy some more horses.

Sam bought them in front of the keep and ordered the servants to prepare them for the journey. He himself visited Lance to get a new shield. Against enemies who were shooting arrows, he wasn't confident to go against them without a shield.

" Hello Lance, I need a new shield, if possible nothing too small. Do you have something suitable?"

"Hello! Good that you are here. I finished the two shortswords yesterday.

I have to say they are really special.

Lance showed Sam the two brown shortswords, which had been carved out of the Minotaur horns.

Sam checked their stats and was positively surprised.

(Mysterious Minotaur Shortsword -> Attack + 40 health +10 stamina + ? )